The number of Indian and Chinese immigration to Australia for permanent settlement has seen a surge in the past 1 year. Meanwhile, the number of migrants from the UK and New Zealand has dropped. This is according to immigration data recently released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Meanwhile, the Immigration Department said overseas migration to Australia for 2012-13 was 237,000 up from 208,000 last year.

Accordingly to data released, Indians are the fastest-growing ethnic community in Australia. Reports said that around 360 Indians arrive in Australia seeking to make it their home.

Till August this year, around 19,000 Indians arrived in the country seeking permanent settlement. Accordingly to reports, this figure is a three-fold increase compared to the same period last year. However, this data does not include people on temporary visas, such as students and skilled workers under the 457 program. The figures could substantially increase.

A slight increase has been seen in the number of Chinese migrants to the country, with the figure reaching 18,240.

Meanwhile, data showed a drop in the number of people from New Zealand seeking settlement in Australia. Notably, New Zealanders have unrestricted access in Australia. Reports said that the country saw the arrival of some 26,170 New Zealanders this year, down by 4,000 compared to previous year.

The UK has been another major source of Australia's migrant population. However, ABS data revealed that arrival of people from UK has actually fallen over the last year, decreasing from 15,790 in 2011-2012 to 11,450 this year.

According to data, the other major migrant ethnic groups arriving during the period include people from the Philippines (7,270), Malaysia (3,810), Vietnam (3,630) and Sri Lanka (3,580).

Accordingly to the latest Census of Population and Housing (2011), about a quarter of Australia's 21.5 million people were born overseas. In another 20 percent of residents, at least one parent was born overseas, and in over half of the population, one or more of their grandparents were born overseas.